Economy Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% 'effective immediately' The US president said that the new measure will effective immediately raise the 10% worldwide tariff on countries, many of which 'have been ripping the US off for decades, without retribution.' 20/02/2026
Europe Today Hungary blocks €90 billion loan for Ukraine over damaged pipeline Hungarian foreign minister accuses Ukraine of sabotage and says his country will block financial assistance for Kyiv until transit of Russian oil resumes. Ahead of a key election, Budapest ups its anti-Ukraine rhetoric. 20/02/2026
Europe News Friedrich Merz heads to China to reset strained trade relations Germany aims to find “the right balance of cooperation” with China. The visit comes at a critical time for German car makers who face increased Chinese competition. 20/02/2026
Culture news The Sagrada Família reaches maximum height after more than a century With the addition of a 17-metre-high white cross now standing on top of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the Sagrada Família has reached its peak height. However, its full completion isn't expected for another decade. 20/02/2026
Europe News EU Commission targets WTO’s key rule in push to rebalance China trade EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič calls to reassess the World Trade Organization’s “Most Favoured Nation” rule with China in focus. Chinese exports have surged since the country joined the trade body. 20/02/2026
Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | February 20th, 2026 – Evening Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this February 20th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel. 20/02/2026
Europe News EU Commission seeks 'clarity' from Washington after tariff ruling The US Supreme Court ruling calls into question the EU-US trade deal clinched last summer, from past paid tariffs to future investment pledges. The Commission says it is carefully reviewing the ruling. 20/02/2026
Iran Trump weighs limited strike on Iran as draft deal remains in the works Donald Trump said he was considering a limited strike on Iran as talks advance on a draft nuclear deal, with both sides eyeing swift sanctions relief but trading threats. 20/02/2026
Cinema From east to west: Berlinale film explores German reunification While historic scenes of celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate spread worldwide as Germany reunified, four filmmakers documented the quiet, contrasting everyday life at Friedrichstrasse station in 1990. A thought-provoking, unusual look back at the 90s at this year's Berlinale. 20/02/2026
United Kingdom Police continue searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's residences Mountbatten-Windsor, who was pictured slouched in the back of his chauffeur-driven car following his release Thursday evening from a police station near Sandringham, remains under investigation. 20/02/2026
USA Troop and funding pledges come in for Trump's Gaza plan After signing the Board of Peace’s founding declaration in Davos, the plan for Gaza will now move to concrete implementation. Commitments include reconstruction funding, infrastructure rebuilding and, in one case, troop deployment within the US-backed stabilisation framework for the Strip. 20/02/2026
Economy Supreme Court blocks Trump tariffs in major blow to White House agenda The US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling the president overstepped his authority by invoking emergency powers. 20/02/2026
Iran Tehran accused of mass arrests, torture and executions after protests Iran arrests 50,000 in nationwide protests, with rights groups reporting tens of thousands killed, death sentences, torture, and widespread asset seizures. 20/02/2026
Russia Russia mulls involuntary reserve call-up as battlefield losses mount Russia appears to be having difficulty replenishing its losses in Ukraine through the existing mechanisms of troop formation. However, any sort of mobilisation will cause massive discontent among the population. 20/02/2026
Travel News France retains its title as the world’s most visited country Despite the economic boon, rising visitor numbers have put pressure on the country’s hotspots. 20/02/2026
No Comment First Friday of Ramadan sees mass prayers at al Aqsa and shattered Gaza Tens of thousands pray at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy Israeli security as Ramadan begins, while families in Gaza mark the holy month among rubble and scarce aid. 20/02/2026
Poland E5 defence ministers in Krakow say 'Europe has woken up' European defence ministers of the E5 meet in Krakow, vow stronger support for Ukraine, joint drone production and greater readiness ahead of the Ankara NATO summit. 20/02/2026
Culture news Meet Punch: The abandoned monkey taking the internet by storm Abandoned, bullied and left to figure things out on his own, Punch found an unlikely friend - an IKEA orangutan plushie - and has now stolen the internet's hearts. 20/02/2026
Made in Europe 'A Beautiful Mess' makes a new start in Europe easier for refugees What can be done to improve the integration of refugees in Europe? How can newcomers be supported to get a foothold in social life? A Euronews report from the Netherlands. 20/02/2026
Europe News EU countries still at odds over new Russia sanctions as deadline nears Brussels wants to have a new package of sanctions approved by Tuesday to punish Russia coinciding with the four-year anniversary of Ukraine's full-scale invasion. Still, a full ban on maritime services is proving an obstacle. 20/02/2026
Moments Uber launches limited-time Northern Lights-spotting rides in Lapland The offering will coincide with a peak period of solar activity, when the celestial phenomenon will be particularly intense. 20/02/2026
Portugal Portuguese navy monitors Russian ship over suspicious activity The SPARTA IV, registered as a merchant ship, entered Portuguese waters at the end of the day on Sunday and was sailing off the coast of Nazaré on Wednesday evening. 20/02/2026
Italy Would-be bank robber trapped in Milan vault for nine hours A 24-year-old man was arrested in Milan after spending nine hours trapped in a UniCredit vault during a failed robbery attempt. No one was hurt. 20/02/2026
Space Uzbekistan preps first homegrown satellite and astronaut mission Uzbekistan plans to launch a 6U CubeSat in 2028 while preparing the framework for a 10–14 day astronaut mission in cooperation with international partners. The focus is on Earth observation data, scientific research and technical capacity building. 20/02/2026
Cinema Film of the Week: 'Orwell: 2+2=5' - Chilling and indispensable Raoul Peck takes the words of George Orwell and connects the dots between the writer’s diary entries and present-day totalitarian regimes. The filmmaker signs one of the most urgent and essential documentaries of the 21st century. 20/02/2026
Europe News EU steel exports to US drop 30% as talks stall over tariff relief EU steel exports to the US fell 30% in 2025 under the weight of Washington’s 50% tariffs. With talks between Brussels and Washington still in deadlock, the downturn shows little sign of easing. 20/02/2026
Culture news Royal Shakespeare Company set to stage Game of Thrones prequel The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced plans to stage Game of Thrones: The Mad King - the prequel to one of the world's most popular television series. 20/02/2026
Tech News Trump says he's declassifying data on aliens after Obama's statements Donald Trump said that he will give the green light to the release of classified information on extraterrestrials and alien life forms. The move comes after comments by Barack Obama, who did not rule out the presence of UFOs in the universe, triggering a media uproar. 20/02/2026
Europe News EU ministers to question Šuica over Trump’s Board of Peace launch EU foreign ministers will question Commission Vice-President Dubravka Šuica on Monday about her participation at the launch of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington, amid criticism from several member states over the Commission’s mandate and role. 20/02/2026
No Comment From Milano Cortina to Dakar 2026: Olympic mascots Tina and Ayo share the stage Italy saw mascot mania in Milan as Tina, face of Milano Cortina 2026, welcomed Ayo from Dakar 2026. 20/02/2026